Viscometer



A. G. M. MICHELL VISCOMETER Dec. 30, 1930.

Filed July 20. 1928 W am dh ATTORNEY Patented Bee 3:, ldlafi UNETEEANTHONY G. M. MICHELL, OF MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA vrsoozanrnn Applicationfiled July 20,

This invention relates to an improvement in viscometers of the typedescribed in Patent No. 1,398,878.

The viscometer disclosed in the patent referred to comprises two closelyfitting parts,

namely a cup and a ball, the former constituting a seat for the latter.A film of fluid, the viscosity of which is to be measured. is placed inthe cup before the ball is seated therein and the weight of the balldetermines the time of operation of the instrument. The ball being ofconstant weight, the time of operation varies in direct proportion tothe viscosity of the fluid under test.

The present invention has for its object to provide means whereby thesame viscometer may be applied. to test fluids having a wide range ofviscosities without the time of oper ation being in any case eitherinconveniently long or too short to enable a result of the requireddegree of accuracy to be obtained.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the followingspecification taken in connection with the drawings, which form a partof this application, and in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partlyin section, showing a viscometer constructed in accordance with theinvention, having a supplemental weight; and

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the supplemental weight.

The invention briefly described consists of a weight adapted for use insupplementing the Weight of the ball in a viscometer com- 05 prising acup and ball, the weight being so constructed and arranged that it canbe detachably carried by and supported on the ball.

Further details of the invention will appear from the followingdescription.

In the embodiment of the intention illustrated, the weight 10 consistsof an annulus of metal or other solid material. Its inner surface 12fits the ball 13 in such manner that when the viscometer is suspendedfor making a test, as shown in Fig. 1 and as described in the citedpatent the ball adhering to the cup 14 by means of the film 15 of thefluid under test, the annular weight is supported upon 1928. serial No.294,202.

the ball and its center of gravity coincides approximately with thecenter of the ball.

In the preferred form shown in the drawing, the peripheral surface 16 ofthe annulus is cylindrical and the upper and lower surfaces 17 and 18flat, the thickness of the annulus being less than the diameter of theball, wnile the internal surface 12 is conical, being atthe lower end ofgreater, and at the upper end of less diameter than the ball whereby theball is unable to pass through the annulus.

The apical angle of the conical surface is preferably about 30, so thatthe ball may be temporarily and detachably affixed in the annulus bytheir frictional contact, and the ball and annulus together may betemporarily manipulated as one piece in the operation of making a testas described in the cited patent.

The weight of the annulus is preferably an integral multiple of theweight of the ball, it being desirable that the period of time duringwhich the ball is held suspended and the period of time during which theball and weight are held suspended should bear a simple numericalrelation to one another.

Although one specific embodiment of the invention has been particularlyshown and described, it will be understood that the invention is capableof modification and that changes in the construction and in thearrangement of the various cooperating parts may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention, as expressed in thefollowing claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ball having interfittingsurfaces, said cup having a handle connected thereto, and a supplementalweight detachably carried by the ball and supported directly thereon.

2. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ball having interfittingsurfaces, and a sup plemental weight detachably carried by the ball andsupported thereon said supplemental wei ht having a tapered openingtherethrough, the smaller end of the opening hav- Iiangla diameter lessthan the diameter of the 3. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ballhaving interfitting surfaces, and an annular weight adapted to surroundthe ball and to be supported directly thereon.

4. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ball having interfittingsurfaces, an annular weight surrounding and detachably aflixed to theball, and having its center of gravity substantially coincident with thecenter of said ball.

5. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ball having inter-fittingsurfaces, an annular weight adapted to be attached to the ball of theviscometer by engagement of the inner surface of the weight with thesurface of the ball.

6. A viscometer comprising a cup and a ball having inter-fittingsurfaces, and an annular weight having a conical inner surface taperingfrom a diameter greater than the diameter of the ball. of the viscometerto a diameter less than the diameter of said ball whereby the Weight maybe supported from the ball when the ball is inserted in the conicalopening of the weight.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of July,1928.

ANTHONY G. M. MIGHELL.

